Rapid-actuated suction cup device

ABSTRACT

A suction device having a suction cup; a pulling bar, the pulling bar having a first end coupled to the suction cup and an opposed second end; a cover having a spiral guiding ring, the spiral guiding ring having a flange on an inner surface; a spiral guiding cap having a rib, the spiral guiding cap being rotatably coupled to the spiral guiding ring so that the flange moves along the rib when the spiral guiding cap is rotated and a locking cap coupled to the second end of the pulling bar, the locking cap having a head positionable against the spiral guiding cap; wherein the spiral guiding cap is turned less than 360 degrees to reach a fully engaged condition.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present claims priority of Chinese Patent Application No.03140164.3, filed on Aug. 14, 2003, and PCT Application No.PCT/CN02/00037, filed on Jan. 23, 2002, which claims priority of ChinesePatent Application No. CN200101134641, filed on Aug. 11, 2001, theentire contents of all of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present invention is directed to suction devices. Exemplarysuction devices can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 355,021; U.S. Pat. No.1,119,111; U.S. Pat. No. 2,657,893; U.S. Pat. No. 3,240,461; U.S. Pat.No. 3,747,170; U.S. Pat. No. 3,750,991; U.S. Pat. No. 4,012,007; U.S.Pat. No. 4,133,575; U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,751; U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,865;U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,005; U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,077; U.S. Pat. No.5,176,346; U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,593; U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,129; U.S. Pat.No. 5,970,860; U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,923; U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,494; U.S.Pat. No. 6,402,104, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0190170; UK PatentApplication No. GB 2275723A.

[0003] There is a need for a suction device that improves over the priorart suction devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention is directed to a suction device. In anembodiment of the present invention the suction device comprises asuction cup and a pulling bar. The pulling bar further comprises a firstend coupled to the suction cup and an opposed second end. The suctiondevice also comprises a cover having a spiral guiding ring, and a spiralguiding cap. The spiral guiding ring has a flange and the spiral guidingcap has a rib. The spiral guiding cap is rotatably coupled to the spiralguiding ring so that the flange moves along the rib when the spiralguiding cap is rotated. A locking cap is coupled to the second end ofthe pulling bar, the locking cap having a head positionable against thespiral guiding cap. The spiral guiding cap is turned less than 360degrees to reach a fully engaged condition.

[0005] Optionally, the spiral guiding cap further comprises a detent.Upon rotation of the spiral guiding cap, the detent engages the flangeto hold the spiral guiding cap in place. Optionally, the spiral guidingring further comprises a step; and the spiral guiding cap furthercomprises a tab. The step engages the tab to prevent rotation of thespiral guiding cap beyond the fully engaged condition.

[0006] Optionally, the pulling bar further comprises a male thread; andthe locking cap further comprises a female thread engageable with themale thread of the pulling bar. Optionally, the pulling bar furthercomprises a boss; and the locking cap further comprises a detentengageable with the boss of the pulling bar.

[0007] A connecting member can be coupled to the cover for hanging anarticle. Additionally, the connecting member can have a hook.Optionally, the spiral guiding cap can have a lever to help turn thespiral guiding cap.

[0008] The present invention is also directed to a method of attachingan object to a flat surface, the method having the following steps:obtaining an apparatus according to the present invention, placing theapparatus against the flat surface; and rotating the spiral guiding capless than 360 degrees to adhere the apparatus to the flat surface.

[0009] In an additional embodiment, the present invention is directed toa suction device comprising: a suction cup; a pulling bar, the pullingbar comprising a first end coupled to the suction cup; and an opposedsecond end; a cover having a spiral guiding ring with a flange on aninner surface; and a spiral guiding and locking cap having a rib and adetent. The spiral guiding and locking cap is rotatably coupled to thespiral guiding ring so that the flange rides along the rib when thespiral guiding and locking cap is rotated until the flange engages thedetent. The spiral guiding and locking cap is rotatably coupled to thesecond end of the pulling bar. The spiral guiding cap is turned lessthan 360 degrees to reach a fully engaged condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The features, aspects and advantages of the present inventionwill become better understood with regard to the following description,appended claims and accompanying figures where:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a suction device according toa first embodiment of the present invention shown in an unlockedposition;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the suction device of FIG. 1shown in an engaged position;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

[0015]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the cover and the spiralguiding cap of FIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a top view of the cover of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a suction device according toa second embodiment of the present invention having a connecting member;

[0018]FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

[0019]FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a suction device according toa third embodiment of the present invention in an unlocked positiontaken along a longitudinal axis through the center;

[0020]FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the suction device of FIG. 9in an engaged position; and

[0021]FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the guiding and lockingcap of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, a suction device 10 according to afirst embodiment of the present invention generally has a suction cup12, a puller bar 14, a cover 16, a spiral guiding cap 18 and a lockingcap 20.

[0023] The suction cup 12 is generally made from flexible materials suchas rubber and soft plastics. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the suction cup12 is in the shape of a tapered umbrella and comprises a base portion22, a rim portion 24 and a declining intermediate portion 26. The baseportion 22 comprises a central blind hole 28 having an inverted T-shapedcross-section. The rim portion 24 has an annular U-shaped channel 30 andan annular recess 32 inward and adjacent to the U-shaped channel 30. Thedeclining intermediate portion 26 between the base portion 22 and therim portion 24 can have a tapered cross section.

[0024] The puller bar comprises a body 34 with a male thread 36 thereonand a flange 38 at a first end. The flange 38 is engaged with the baseportion 22 of the suction cup 12 to position the puller bar body 34along a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the surface to which thesuction cup is to be attached. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the puller barhas a T-shaped cross section.

[0025] The cover 16 is in general made from rigid materials such as hardplastics, metal and wood. The shape of the cover 16 corresponds to theshape of the suction cup 12. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cover 16 hasa spiral guiding ring 40 with a central through hole 42 to allow thepuller bar body 34 to pass through. The spiral guiding ring 40 containsat least one flange 44.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, The cover 16 also has an edge portion 46 anda declining intermediate portion 48 between the spiral guiding ring 40and the edge portion 46. The edge portion 46 of the cover 16 has anannular U-shaped projection 50 engageable with the annular U-shapedchannel 30 and the annular recess 32 of the suction cup 12.

[0027] The spiral guiding cap 18 is rotatably supported on the spiralguiding ring 40. The spiral guiding cap 18 has a through hole 52 toallow the puller bar body 34 to pass through. Once the spiral guidingcap 18 is positioned on the spiral guiding ring 40, the puller bar body34 is extended through the spiral guiding ring through hole 42 and thespiral guiding cap through hole 52. The locking cap 20 is then coupledto the puller bar body 34.

[0028] The locking cap 20 has a head 53 positionable against the spiralguiding cap 18. In the first embodiment of the present invention, asshown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the locking cap 20 also has a central hole 54with a female thread 56 therein. The female thread 56 of the locking cap20 engages the male thread 36 of the puller bar body 34. One skilled inthe art will recognize that the threading may be reversed with thepuller bar having the female thread and the locking cap having the malethread.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the spiral guiding cap has at least onerib 58 positionable on the at least one flange 44 of the spiral guidingring 40. The rib 58 has a spiral shaped surface. As the spiral guidingcap 18 is rotated, the rib 58 engages with the flange 44 to move thespiral guiding cap along the longitudinal axis. The spiral guiding ring40 can have a plurality of flanges and the spiral guiding cap can have aplurality of ribs, with each rib rotating against a different flange.

[0030] In operation, the suction cup 12 is placed against a smoothmounting surface and the spiral guiding cap 18 is rotated, therebymoving the spiral guiding cap along the longitudinal axis. As the spiralguiding cap 18 is moved along the longitudinal axis, the locking cap 20which is positioned against the spiral guiding cap 18 is also movedalong the longitudinal axis. The locking cap 20 in turn pulls the pullerbar 14 which pulls the base portion 22 of the suction cup 12. Anarch-shaped vacuum space is thereby created between the smooth surfaceand the suction cup 12. The engagement between the U-shaped channel 30and the annular recess 32 of the suction cup 12 and the U-shapedprojection 50 of the cover 16 prevents air from entering into the vacuumspace causing the suction cup 12 to tightly adhere to the smoothmounting surface.

[0031] The spiral guiding cap 18 has a detent 59 at an end of the rib58. Once the spiral guiding cap 18 is rotated beyond a preselectedpoint, the detent 59 engages the flange 44 to stop rotation of thespiral guiding cap and hold the spiral guiding cap in a fully engagedcondition.

[0032] In a fully engaged condition, the suction cup and the attachedpuller bar 14 are pulled toward the mounting surface, thereby holdingthe spiral guiding cap detent 59 in contact with spiral guiding ringflange 44 until a significant rotation force is exerted on the spiralguiding cap 18. The detent 59 in conjunction with the flange 44 keepsthe suction device in the fully engaged condition for an extended periodof time, absent intentional disengagement by a user.

[0033] Additionally, the spiral guiding ring 40 can have a step 60 at anend of the flange 44 and the spiral guiding cap 18 can have a tab 62 atan end of the rib 58. Upon rotation of the spiral guiding cap 18 to thefully engaged condition, the tab 61 engages the step 60 to preventcontinued rotation of the spiral guiding cap 18. The step 60 and the tab62 can be otherwise located as long as the step 60 and the tab 62contact each at a preselected point to prevent continued rotation.

[0034] Preferably, the locking cap 20 is turned less than about 360degrees to reach a fully engaged condition. More preferably the lockingcap 20 is turned less than about 180 degrees to reach the fully engagedcondition. Still more preferably, the locking cap 20 is turned less thanabout 90 degrees to reach the fully engaged condition.

[0035] In a second embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 7and 8, the locking cap 20 has a central hole 64 with a boss 66 therein.In the second embodiment, the puller bar body 34 is formed as a post 68having a detent 70 thereon. Upon insertion of the puller bar body 34into central hole 64, the boss 66 engages with the detent 70 to preventthe puller bar 14 from being detached from the locking cap 20. Oneskilled in the art will recognize that the boss and detent arrangementmay be reversed with the locking cap having the detent and the pullerbar having the boss.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the suction device according to thepresent invention may further include a connecting member 72 connectedto the cover 16. The connecting member 72 can be used to couple anarticle, such as a picture frame, towel rack, or the like, to thesuction device 10. The connecting member 72 may include a hook 74 forhanging articles on the suction device. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that the connecting member 72 may be varied depending onparticular applications. For example, the connecting member 72 maycomprise a hole for inserting a bar assembled with a plurality of hooks.Additionally, the spiral guiding cap 18 may have a lever 76 coupled toan outer surface for assisting a user in gripping and turning the spiralguiding cap 18.

[0037] In a third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, a spiralguiding and locking cap 78 is locked directly to the puller bar body 34.Thus, in the third embodiment, the spiral guiding and locking cap 78 hasa central hole 80 with a boss 82 therein. The puller bar body 34 isformed as a post 84 having a detent 86 thereon. Upon insertion of thepuller bar body 34 into the central hole 80 of the spiral guiding andlocking cap 78, the boss 82 engages with the detent 86 to prevent thepuller bar 14 from being detached from the spiral guiding and lockingcap 78. The boss 82 and the detent 86 are engaged so as to allowrotation of the spiral guiding and locking cap 78 around the puller bar14. One skilled in the art will recognize that the boss and detentarrangement may be reversed with the locking cap having a detent and thepuller bar having a boss.

[0038] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 11, the spiral guiding and lockingcap 78 is rotatably mounted on the spiral guiding ring 40. The spiralguiding and locking cap 78 has at least one rib 88 positionable on theat least one flange 44 of the spiral guiding ring 40. The spiral guidingand locking cap also has a detent 90 that engages the flange 44 of thespiral guiding ring 40 when the spiral guiding and locking cap 78 isrotated into the fully engaged condition. Additionally, the spiralguiding and locking ring can have a tab 92 that engages with the step 60of the spiral guiding ring 40 to prevent rotation of the spiral guidingand locking ring beyond the fully engaged condition.

[0039] With the sucker structure of the present invention, the suckerbody may firmly be adhered to the smooth surface for a long time withoutdetachment.

[0040] Although the present invention has been described in considerabledetail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, otherversions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims should not be limited to the description of the preferredversions described herein.

[0041] All features disclosed in the specification, including theclaims, abstracts and drawings, and all the steps in any method orprocess disclosed, may be combined in any combination except combinationwhere at least some of such features and/or steps are mutuallyexclusive. Each feature disclosed in the specification, including theclaims, abstract, and drawings, can be replaced by alternative featuresserving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly statedotherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each featuredisclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent orsimilar features.

[0042] Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means” forperforming a specified function or “step” for performing a specifiedfunction, should not be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause asspecified in 35 U.S.C. §112.

What is claimed is:
 1. A suction device comprising: a) a suction cup; b)a pulling bar, the pulling bar comprising: a first end coupled to thesuction cup; and an opposed second end; c) a cover having a spiralguiding ring, the spiral guiding ring having a flange; d) a spiralguiding cap having a rib, the spiral guiding cap being rotatably coupledto the spiral-guiding ring so that the flange moves along the rib whenthe spiral guiding cap is rotated; and e) a locking cap coupled to thesecond end of the pulling bar, the locking cap having a headpositionable against the spiral guiding cap; and wherein the spiralguiding cap is turned less than 360 degrees to reach a fully engagedcondition.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the spiral guiding capfurther comprises a detent; and upon rotation of the spiral guiding cap,the detent engages the flange to hold the spiral guiding cap in place.3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein: the spiral guiding ring furthercomprises a step; and the spiral guiding cap further comprises a tab;wherein the step engages the tab to prevent rotation of the spiralguiding cap beyond the fully engaged condition.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the spiral guiding cap is turned less than 180 degreesto reach the fully engaged condition.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the spiral guiding cap is turned less than 90 degrees to reachthe fully engaged condition.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: thepulling bar further comprises a male thread; and the locking cap furthercomprises a female thread engageable with the male thread of the pullingbar.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the spiral guiding cap furthercomprises a lever.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising aconnecting member coupled to the cover for hanging an article.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8 wherein the connecting member further comprises ahook.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the pulling bar furthercomprises a female thread; and the locking cap further comprises a malethread engageable with the female thread of the pulling bar.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein: the pulling bar further comprises a boss;and the locking cap further comprises a detent engageable with the bossof the pulling bar.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the spiralguiding cap further comprises a lever.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11further comprising a connecting member coupled to the cover for hangingan article.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the connecting memberfurther comprises a hook.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: thespiral guiding ring of the cover comprises a plurality of flanges; andthe spiral guiding cap has a plurality of ribs, each rib beingengageable against a separate flange.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15wherein the spiral guiding cap further comprises a lever.
 17. A methodof attaching an object to a flat surface, the method comprising:obtaining an apparatus according to claim 1; placing the apparatusagainst the flat surface; and rotating the spiral guiding cap less than360 degrees to stick the apparatus to the flat surface.
 18. A suctiondevice comprising: a) a suction cup; b) a pulling bar, the pulling barcomprising: a first end coupled to the suction cup; and an opposedsecond end; c) a cover having a spiral guiding ring with a flange; andd) a spiral guiding and locking cap having a rib and a step; wherein thespiral guiding and locking cap is rotatably coupled to thespiral-guiding ring so that the rib rides along the flange when rotateduntil the flange engages the step; wherein the spiral guiding andlocking cap is rotatably coupled to the second end of the pulling bar;and wherein the spiral guiding and locking cap is turned less than 360degrees to reach a fully engaged condition.
 19. The apparatus of claim18 wherein: the spiral guiding and locking cap further comprises adetent; and upon rotation of the spiral guiding and locking cap, thedetent engages the flange to hold the spiral guiding and locking cap inplace.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein: the spiral guiding ringfurther comprises a step; the spiral guiding and locking cap furthercomprises a tab; and wherein the step engages the tab to preventrotation of the spiral guiding and locking cap beyond the fully engagedcondition.
 21. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the spiral guiding andlocking ring further comprises: an exterior surface; and a lever coupledto the exterior surface.